Disclaimer: I only own Ira and Amicitia.
A/N: HA! I'm back. Excellent. Fab. I'm so excited. Sorry for the wait, and I hope it was worth it. Just an FYI, though, this is not the end of the battle. Just letting you know, so don't get too comfortable just yet.
BIG thanks to (and this is a long list): Lillal, Dragonchampion, oncemoreuntothebreach, Nargus, lowrex, Dark-Hunter1992. CaliDreamin, nicklaren, Tsamoka, Soulless Sctosman (love it XD), LupaMallus, pukmuk, curcit5, kittycatcharlie, malonezane09, shades333, Ulquiorra9900, Fryst Nikoda, The OC Bro, Univerce, Est-Saarlane, merrypeanut, Arcane Warrior Hero, CodelyokoFan23, guardsmansparky, xXSakixPsychoxTeddyXx, Ruler of Kings, Lord PotterXXVII, DiamondAir, Lord Jace and deadbyapril122 for following/favouriting. Love you all, thank you so much, and thanks for being patient.
Review Response(s):
ww1990ww: Hey, who said dragons see everything?
Guest(1): Glad you're still enjoying it. And I warn you, it could never be that simple (nudge nudge wink wink).
Ny'Kle: I was hoping that would throw a few people (evil laugh)
Kamen Rider Tigon: I'm glad you didn't see it coming. It meant my plan worked, haha. And thanks for the sympathy and patience. There's a bug going around here, and everyone's feeling a bit rubbish. Thanks again :)
jsun25: Sorry for the wait (not so sorry about the cliffhangers. They're there to be used).
Diamond of the Sea: Don't worry, my friend, all will become clear in time.
gabiey: Nawww, thanks x
The Silent Beast: Really? Wow, that makes me so happy. Thanks!
Mjoern: Well, Alduin is used to being obeyed by other dragons (not so much mortals - Ira is the perfect example of that). But all will become clear in this chapter (I hope).
Nargus: (I'm going to reply to every one in this response). I understand there are things here I could have changed, but I thought Ira and the others' appearances wouldn't have made too much of a difference. Sorry if you didn't like that so much. But things won't stay the same forever.
: Did I not write that? Oops. I promise, I do know this. As for BotFA, I haven't seen it yet (cries), so I'll probably have to work from the book for the last bit of this fanfic. We'll see what happens.
Madjeser32: I did realise, but didn't notice I'd written it wrong. Sorry... :/
Fin Daanik Sil: (I like you're name, by the way, although it's also slightly morose). The major thing I don't think is coming just yet (although I don't know what you're hoping for/expecting so I can't say that for sure). I guess we'll find out.
Lord Jace: Your wish is my command...
bur bur: Aw, thanks! x
Guest(2): Thank you, so do I.
trninjakiller: Not my fault. Ask that question to my brain. Though it might not help... Sorry. At least it's over now.
Rhettbutler: I'm glad you're enjoying it. As for the other bits, I didn't want it to stay exactly the same, otherwise, what would be the point in Ira being there acting as Bilbo's guard. Still, I'm glad you like the story.
Chapter 25:
Ira couldn't ignore the growing feeling of unease building in her stomach. She was not particularly worried about Alduin's safety - after all, she knew he could look after himself with no trouble - but she was slightly concerned about him being alone with a member of his kin who was a complete mystery to him. Alduin knew what was at stake, but what if that wasn't enough? If he had so easily convinced Smaug to become allied with him, who knew what else he could do, especially with Smaug's help? The Dragonborn had considered summoning Odahviing, but Smaug was unlike anything she had ever faced before. She didn't want to risk the life of her friend, so kept her mouth shut.
The dwarves had questioned her incessantly once she had emerged alone. She refused to say anything, especially while Alduin was still down there.
Staring out in the direction of Laketown, a thought suddenly struck her. What would happen if she was unable to slay the dragon? Would Laketown suffer as a result? Or would Smaug slink back inside Erebor and sleep until the next group of people attempted to take the mountain from him? Running her hands over her face in frustration, Ira didn't notice the dwarf sidling up to her until he stepped into her peripheral vision.
"Is it wise having him down there alone?" Balin asked, concerned.
Ira shook her head. "I don't know. I would love to say yes, but I cannot know for sure what he plans to do. All I do know is that Alduin wants nothing more than to return to his proper form, and to do that he must help me help you take back Erebor for Thorin. I doubt Alduin will have forgotten this little detail. Still, I'm concerned his... past will get in the way of things."
"His past?"
"Gold and jewels don't matter to him," Ira explained. "Instead, his draconic nature means he has more of a desire for dominance. Smaug would be an invaluable asset should he turn against us."
"Do you think it is likely?"
"I think it is not out of the question. But no, I don't believe that's what will happen. Obviously Alduin won't want to kill one of his own kind, so I expect he will instead attempt to bargain with Smaug. If that is the case, I wish him all the luck in Nirn and Middle Earth, because dragons are a thousand times more stubborn than even Thorin."
"A dragon convincing a dragon should improve the odds though, right?"
"Well," Ira considered thoughtfully, "I suppose you could be right. Alduin is basically the lord of all dragons, so most others would obey him fairly quickly. But he is also now human, meaning he appears weaker. Smaug may try to exploit his new form, and then things could get ugly for us."
"How so?"
Ira sighed. "Alduin's natural authority is the only way this can end without bloodshed. If Smaug doesn't agree to whatever Alduin offers (if he offers anything), then he will turn on all of us. That means we will have to fight." She shook her head. "I need to go back in there." The last sentence was mumbled under her breath, but Balin still heard. He grunted in agreement, allowing Ira to sneak back down.
The sound of voices grew louder the closer she got, but her footsteps halted when she heard one particular sentence: "You think you could ever hope to defeat me?"
Then she was running, thankful the enchantment of her boots made her silent. She threw herself against the cold stone wall and peered cautiously into the treasury. She could see Alduin was tense, and Smaug was growing angry. It was his voice she had heard.
"I do," Alduin replied calmly. "And not just me."
"The girl?" Smaug sneered, nostrils flaring. "The dragoness locked inside a mortal body? She is weak, feeble."
"And yet she is alive," Alduin pointed out. "A particular trait only a few of our kind still possess. You have sat here long enough. I will not give you another chance. Decide."
Smaug growled. "And if I choose neither?"
"It will end one way or another."
"Then you will all burn!"
Ira gulped. This was not going well. She needed to find a weak point on Smaug's body that would allow her to kill him. And, more importantly, she needed to make sure he wouldn't make it into the open air. Slowly, she began to inch her way through the treasury, eyeing Smaug's thick scales closely. It wasn't until she was almost facing him directly that she saw her advantage. A scale was missing over his chest. If she could get close enough, and he was low enough to be within reach, she could kill him with a single blow. A blade to the skull also tended to be very effective, but in this case that might be a little more difficult than she was used to.
Unfortunately, Smaug then turned his head and he saw her there. He grinned, making Alduin also look at her. Her cover was blown.
Here goes nothing...
Ira stepped out from behind the large column and then leaned against in an apparently relaxed, cocky position that angered the dragon greatly (as it was meant to). Her arms were behind her back, subtly pulling a bottle out from one of her pockets and swiftly unstoppering it. "You know," she said casually, "part of me wonders just how you expect to manage that. I've yet to be seriously injured by a dragon, let alone burned or just plain killed. Many have tried, all have failed."
Smaug huffed, chest beginning to glow. "There's always a first time." Ira downed the potion in one gulp, a mere second before Smaug's flames engulfed her. The heat was intense, she could tell, but it didn't harm her. It felt like something soft was tickling her skin. Smaug let out a roar of pure rage when his flames stopped and she was still stood there, uninjured and completely unfazed. Alduin's head was tilted slightly to the side in confusion, having not seen her drink the potion.
"Yes, I suppose there is," Ira said, looking down at her nails to annoy the dragon again. "But I don't think this is it, if I'm being completely honest." Her relaxed stance seemed to be slowly increasing Smaug's ire. "I mean, if you think about it... how special are you, really? You're just like the rest of them. Sure, you may be a bit bigger, but who's to say that makes you more powerful?"
"Los tol jur, kon? (Is that a challenge, girl?)"
Ira's eyes narrowed at the sentence. "That's the Dovahzul," she said. "You're from Nirn, after all, then." She then smirked. "Excellent! That means you'll die just as easily as every other one did."
"You underestimate me," Smaug growled, a warning to his voice (which Ira ignored, of course).
Ira rolled her eyes and slowly drew Chillrend, finding comfort in the cold, tough leather beneath her fingers, and the coolness that was wafting off the fine blade. It was a feeling she had known for so many years, and with it, she felt undefeatable. With it, she felt confident. With this blade, she became the true Dragonborn of legend. A manic grin slowly spread across her lips. "We'll see," she said, before praying quickly to Nocturnal and allowing her Agent ability to wash over her, hiding her but for a faint shimmering trail, which could only be seen if you knew what to look for.
Ira moved stealthily and silently across the room, taking special care not to jostle any of the coins. Steam was floating out from between Smaug's bared teeth and he whipped his head around, frantically searching for her. He could smell her and hear her slow, calm breaths, but couldn't pinpoint from where they came. A faint jangle came from the great dragon's immediate left, and he whipped his whole body around to find the Dragonborn leaning against a stone column, a smug gleam to her eyes. In the corner of her eyes, she saw the rest of the company standing just out of the dragon's line of sight, weapons drawn, ready to attack should things turn sour. But she wouldn't let it come to that. Once again, Ira moved into a crouch, and once again disappeared. This time, however Smaug caught sight of the shimmer of movement when she moved, and lunged forward to capture the woman between his razor sharp teeth. But Ira was prepared and darted out of the way just in time, before lashing out at his exposed neck with Chillrend. A deep gash appeared, cracking and damaging some of his scales, but even with her physical strength and the strength of her blade itself, no blood was drawn.
Smaug drew back, laughing mockingly. "You cannot hope to defeat me. I am more powerful than any foe you have faced."
Anger rose up in Ira's chest as her invisibility wore off for good. Her eyes flashed draconic, but unlike usual, they remained cold, and her pupils stayed as thin slits. "I have faced many foes you do not know of. I have faced the First Dragonborn and sent him to the depths of Oblivion, I have killed the most powerful Vampire Lord ever to exist, leaving him so he became nothing but a pile of ash on the floor. I have killed countless dragons, consumed each and every soul they had, and lived through all of it. You may be more powerful than them, but you are not more powerful than me!"
With a battle cry, she lurched forward, startling the massive dragon as she caught hold of his scales and twisted herself onto his neck. He shook and writhed, but Ira was experienced, and was not so easy deterred. Chillrend's point was directed straight at his head, poised for the strike. With all her strength she pushed downwards, and the blade fell, as if in slow motion, though no one had used the Slow Time Shout. She watched as it's blade pressed against the solid scales that acted as his skin, watched as the blade broke through the barrier. It sunk a mere two inches, however, before it came to a stop. But Ira's strength kept pushing it down, and as time finally sped up, the glass blade gave a groan, before shattering, spraying shards in all directs. The hilt fell from Ira's shocked grasp, and Smaug, after roaring in fury and pain, finally dislodged her. The Dragonborn was flung backwards, and hit the stone wall with a resounding thud, before sliding down ten feet, coming to a stop on top of the gold pile, eyes closed. She was unconscious, and being unconscious meant she was vulnerable. Smaug growled happily, and moved to finish her off, before something cold and hard slammed into his chest, piercing through scales, muscles and tissue. It sunk so deep it pierced his lungs and heart.
The roar that came next meant those nearby had to clap their hands over their ears to stop from being deafened. His roar was heard easily in Laketown, and in Mirkwood, and even in the house of Beorn, where the skin-changer perked his ears as the sound came to him.
Smaug's corpse slumped on the ground, motionless and empty. The tyranny of the dragon had come to an end.
Haha! Yes, Smaug is down! But guess who killed him? The answer is probably obvious. Ah well. What's important is this:
Smaug be dead.
But we all know it's not over yet.
...
It's nice to be back. :)